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Monday, February 20, 2017

An emotional and uplifting event this morning at the Emergency Department of Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park provided an opportunity for a family to meet and thank firefighter/medics and hospital staff for their efforts in attempting to save the life of their infant daughter.

On June 17, 2016 firefighters from the Branchville Volunteer Fire Company, medics from the College Park Fire/EMS Station and an EMS supervisor were dispatched to a home in College Park for a 911 report of an infant that had stopped breathing. Fire/EMS units quickly arrived and initiated CPR and transported the infant to Washington Adventist Hospital where despite the very best of treatment by all involved was pronounced deceased. This tragic death was sudden and unexpected.

Sunday, February 19, 2017 would have been Breelyn Porters 1st Birthday and today first responders and hospital staff were called together by the her family. Summer Porter, Breelyn's mom, and family met and thanked everyone involved in efforts to save Breelyn's life. The Porter family presented each person with a homemade blanket which carries a very important and impactful meaning to the family. The Porter family felt their grieving process was helped by seeing their daughter wrapped in a homemade blanket when she passed away.

The homemade blanket meant so much to them that the Porter family started Breelyn's Blanket Brigade. This brigade is an effort to provide homemade blankets to all area hospitals and perhaps help others in these circumstances. On a website promoting the effort, Summer Porter stated, "We want to give that moment of love to other families who have lost their children. Making an entire blanket is a daunting task and 5″ x 5″ squares are much easier to commit to. I’m twelve squares in and I only learned to crochet a month ago. Anyone can learn- my first grade niece is a pro! I encourage you to try making some squares. Crochet, knit, quilt- whatever works for you! Goal is approximately 30″ x 40″ blankets (48 – 5″ squares). Gender neutral colors are probably best – green, yellow, purple, etc. Make a blanket or make a square – let’s show others that we care. Join Breelyn’s Blanket Brigade today!"

The Branchville Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad, Inc. and the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department strongly encourage everyone to help in whatever way possible to Breelyn's Blanket Brigade. For additional information on how you can help go the this website and Facebook page:

LODD April 15, 2016

Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant John "Skillet" Ulmschneider

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Tragically firefighters will find pets that have been injured in home fires. Sometimes owners are not availiable to bring their pet to a emergency vet or may not have the resources to afford medical care. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and the Anne Arundel County SPCA have teamed up and created a fund whereas medical care for the pet would be covered in part or in full.
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